May 20, 2006

A wonderfully printed book...

I just got my copies of a book I did for Usborne, 'The Dragon Painter' and I'm very pleased with the print quality. In fact I'd go so far to say that it's most likely the best packaged and printed book I've ever done the artwork for.

It means so much to an artist to have their work presented the way they painted it... as often that's not the case.

But I have to say, on this book the printing is just perfect... it has sewn bindings and they did a wonderful job of everything... even the endpapers. And a real first, there's even a little satin red ribbon bookmark that comes with the book.

I was very pleased to see how my digital/real media techniques seemed to print up very nicely too. Believe me, it's not every book that leaves the artist so pleased with the printed copy.

It was a fun story, a folk tale, about a painter who paints dragons that come to life.I had a great time doing the research for all the chinese decor. I found the Emperor in a book about an ancient chinese gardens. I had to make sure I changed the pattern of the designs on the clothing, since I have no way of knowing what they might actually mean or say in ancient chinese!

I previously uploaded some of the artwork from this book back in January.

Thanks to everyone for all the compliments... it's a nice change to finally be halfway happy with a printed book. Usually when I receive the printed copies 8 months later I just want to hide it out of sight... or worse.

I don't have the knack required for charicatures... I think that takes a very special gift. But it's true I think that most artists draw themselves in all their artwork.

Hi John, it's great, after reading all your philosophical rantings all these years, to know one of your books is available in the UK. That Usborne series is really good, my daughter has several of them. All nicely illustrated and printed, attractive to kids and their parents, and the good news for you and your royalties: they're more readily available in the bookshops than your average book.Moira